Pay It Forward is an initiative spearheaded by The Depanneur as part of our 2020 Communal Picnic series in collaboration with The Bentway. It enabled guests to make a donation when ordering a meal, which was then matched by The Depanneur and paid to our guest chefs to prepare additional meals which were then donated to local shelters. Pay It Forward donations to the 2020 Communal Picnic series raised funds for more than 50 fresh meals that were distributed to local community shelters & respites centres.

We are proud to be continuing this for the 2021 Bentway Communal Picnic series. For every Pay It Forward meal purchased, The Depanneur and The Bentway will work together to provide a second meal to double the impact of your generosity. All Pay it Forward funds raised from the Communal Picnics will be used to create fresh meals for the The Fort York-Spadina Community Care Program; @spafycc

At The Dep, we have decided to re-introduce this program as a regular part of The Dep’s weekly Pick Up Dinner offerings, with meals going to the newly opened Fatima House, a new women’s shelter in the neighbourhood. Pay It Forward donations made as part of our Pick Up Dinners will be doubled by The Dep and paid to our guest cooks, who will produce additional meals to be dropped off at Fatima House at the end of the day.

Fatima House is run by Fred Victor, one of the leading homelessness charities in Toronto. It is a newly-renovated, accessible and pet-friendly shelter that will serve as a temporary home for up to 52 women (the current occupancy is reduced due to COVID-19 precautions). The shelter will offer meals, counselling and healthcare services, as well as housing support. Staff onsite will work with the women to help them move on to permanent, affordable housing.

“We rise by lifting others” —Robert Ingersol